Railway truck



June 2, 1931.

C. J. W. CLASEN RAILWAY TRUCK Filed April l5 Vlfatented i June 2, i931 NITED STATES PATENT ori-ica CLAS J. W. ICLASIEIN, 0F DAVENPORT, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO THE BIETTENDORF COM- PANY, 0F BETTENDORF', IOWA, A CORPORATION 0F IOWA RAILWAY TRUCK f Application led April 18, 1925. Serial No. 22,597.

This invention relates to improvements in railway trucks.

The eneral object and nature of the present inventionv is to provide means for increasing the spring capacity of a railway truck without proportionately increasing the wheel base or depth, or appreciably increasing the weight oi such truck, or impairing the strength thereof, as set forth in my related applications filed of even date herewith. i y

'lhe urpose of 'the present invention is general y similar to that contemplated in certain or my related cases above mentioned, that is, to increase'the longitudinal extent of the spring rest of an integral truck frame, by spacing the guide columns, or

portions thereof, a greater distance apartproportionate to the dimensions of the side frame than is ordinarily the case, in conjunction with novel reinforcing means for bracing the `rame to compensate for the increased longitudinal extent of the spring rest which reinforcing means are arranged to provide a safety pocket igor the springs to prevent loss thereof should they become dis- `iodged.

A construction of this character naturally requires a widened bolster to bear upon the increased number of spring units, and since many foundries do not have liasks or other facilities large enough to cast holsters -of suicient width, l' provide means by which bolsters of ordinarywidth may be utilized in connection with the side trames, having guide columns which are spaced a art a greater distance than usual. lin e eating this result utilize filler means which have portions interposed between the sides of the bolster, the guide columns and the springs, such means being arran ed so that the bearing stresses between tv e parte .are transmitted uniformly from the' bolster to all portions of the increased sprin cluster,

such means being connected to tie bolster and endwise insertable therewith. between the guide columns, in conjunction 'with a removable key for retaining the filler means in operative engagement with the side frame.

Other and further objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the major portion of a side frame, of the character contemplated by myinvention. Figure 2 is a top plan partial sectional view of the invention with portions of the frame broken away to more clearly disclose the disposition oflthe parts; and Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of the invention on the line 3-3 of Figurel l.

Referring to lthe drawings, in the construction illustrated, there is shown a side frame of a truck, and in this connection l have deemed it necessary to illustrate the parts on one side of the truck only., it being understood that the other side of tho truck will be correspondingly made.

The side trame illustrated comprises a compression member l0., a tension member ll, and journal boxes 12, which are preferably cast integrally with the side frame.

rlhe invention broadly includes guido columns A-A of novel formation, shown cast integrally with the compression member and tension member; a spring rest B; reinforcing means C; a spring cluster D; a bolster E; and a pressure transmitting device and iller l?.

The guide columns A are of peculiar formation, said guide columns bein spaced a relatively reat distance proport1onately to the dimensions of the side frame, said guide columns also including relatively narrowly spaced upper portions 13 and lower portions 14, the inner guide faces of which are undercut or recessed as indicated at 15, thereby providing the spring rest B which is of greater longitudinal extent than the width ot the bolster E, the spring rest B extending laterally beyond the tension member 11 as shown.

Preferably formed integrally with the lower portions 14 of the guide columns A and the walls 16 defining the upper portions of the .recesses 15 at either side of said columns, are the connectin walls C, such walls spring rest at the bottom and following the kpreferably being forme intecfrally with the mit outlines thereof, such walls merging into the portions 16 of the' upper portions 13 of the guide columns. It lwill be a preciated that the members C, due to their disposition,

act as combined compression and tensionl A means for bracing the frameand seven spring units arranged as illustrated inthe drawings, the end units 18 of such cluster being disposed in the recesses 15 formed in the guide columns, such sprins being of the ordinarytype used in truc of this character, or other suitable resilient means.

In a construction of this character, the bolster E necessarily must be insertable endwise between the portions 13 of the guide columns A, and since the space between the portions 13 of the guide columns is considerably reater than that ordinarily provided, a' wi er bolster must be utilized in connection with a frame of this character in order to afford an increased surface uniformly bearing upon the additional spring elements as well as those ordinarily provided. The production of holsters Iof the additional width is sometimes impracticable, due to the fact that many foundries do not have' flasks large enough for this purpose, and it becomes important to provide means for utilizing holsters which are of less width thanl the space between the guide columns and which may be produced in lthe ordinary sized flasks, and I accomplish this result in the manner which will now be described.

The bolster E, which is of a width less thanthe distance between-the portions 413 of the columns A, is provided with lugs 19 spaced some distance from the end of the bolster, and with lugs 20 adjacent the out/er end of the bolster.

Interposed between the bolster and the s ring cluster is the pressure transmitting evice F. Suchdevice comprises a member having a bottom portion 21 extending the entire distance 'between the portions 13 of the guide columns and adapted to have a snug sliding fit therewith, such portion bearing uniformly upon the top surfaces of all of the spring umts of the spring cluster D, as clearly shown in the drawings. The member F is provided with end walls 22 having lugs 23 which co-operate with the lugs 19 and 20 formed on the bolster, the width of the end walls 22 being such as to snugly fill the space between the sides of thebolster and the faces of the guide surfacesof the guide columns A. The inner portions of the walls 22 areV rovided with laterally extending lugs 24 a apted to' engage the inner surfaces ot the guide columns. A. The outer ends ofthe walls 22 are connected by a wall 25'disposed on the outer side of the end of the bolster, such wall being provided with a' key-way 26 for the reception of a key 27, held in position by any suitable means such as the bolts 28, the .ends 29 of such key being arranged to slide on thc outer surfaces of the portions 13 of the ,i

guide columns.

In conjunction with a side frame of this character, I provide a. special type of spring plate and s ring plank which is more particularly re erred-to in connection with my related applications aforesaid. One type of such arrangement is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. In this fi re, the inner connecting walls C are provi ed with spaced apertures 30, through which roject lugs 31 formed u on the spring p ate 32 disposed upon t e spring rest B, the spring cluster being supported upon the sprin plate 32. The spring rest B isv provide on its inner side with-an extension 33 having a plurality of bosses or abutments 34.- formed thereon ada ted to receive apertures 35 in` one end of t e spring plank 36 the walls of the apertures 35 providing abutments inter-en a eable with the bosses 34, the lugs 31 o t e s ring plate being arranged to bear upon t e inner end 37 of the spring plank 'between the lugs 33,' thereby providing an eilicient 'connection for the spring plank 36 it of course being understood that the other end of the spring plank is secured to the respective side frame in a similar manner.

By this arrangement, when it is im racticable to provide a bolster of su cient width to bear uniformly upon the increased sprin cluster, it will be evident that by utilizing the cradle or a comparatively narrow bolster may be used in connection with a side frame of this type. In this construction, the cradle is a plied to the bolster before the insertion tliereof between the guide columns, b engaging the lugs 23 of the cradle with t e lugs 19- and 20 on the bolster. The cradle in this manner snugly lits over the end of the bolster 'and is of a width -which may be thus inserted between the portions 13 of the ide columns before the key v27 is 'applie the wall21 of the cradle'resting uniformly upon the s ring units'of the spring cluster D. The key 27 is then inserted through the key-way 26 provided in the end portion 25 'of the filler device F and the bolts 28 secured in position. 'The filler member is thus held against lateral movement with res ectV to the (guide columns A by means of the ey 29, an the integrallugs 24, bearing on the outer and inner surfaces, respectively of the guide columns, and such ler member is filler member F that.

securely and detachably connected with the The connecting members C reinforce theentire frame structure, such means-actingl as a beam interposed between the lower portions of the guide columns A and connected to the tension member 1l, thereby serving as a combined compression and tension inember, the walls C being arranged so as to provide a safety pocket for the spring cluster to prevent loss of the spring units.

'llie spring plank arrangement is similar to that disclosed in my related applications and is of the type which is particularly adapted forv use With a side frame of the character contemplated therein, bein quickly detachable when desired, and at t ie same time securely held in position lby reason of' the fact that the entire pressure exerted by the spring cluster is transmitted to the retaining lugs for holding the end of the plank in engagement with the bosses thereon.

While I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, the same is merely illustrative andv I contemplate all changes and modifications that come-within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

lVliat I claim is:`

l. In a iailwa truck, the combination I with a bolster; o a side frame including a compression member, a tension member, and guide columns spaced apart a distance greater than the width of said bolster; a spring cluster of greater extent than the width oi said bolster; and means detachably associated with said bolster and interposed between said bo1ster,said guide columns, and said spring assembly to transmit the bearingl stresses from the bolster to all portions of the spring cluster, said interposed means having elements adapted to engage the inner and outer surfaces of said guide columns to operatively connect said bolster and said guide columns,- certain of said elements being detachable.

2. In a railway truck, the combination with a bolster; of a side frame including a. compression `member, a tension member, and guide columns; a spring cluster and filler means detaeliably associated with said bolster and interposed between said bolster and said guide columns said filler means being provided with elements adapted to engage spaced portions of said guide columns for operatively connecting said filler means with said columns, certain of said elements being detachable.

3. In a railway truck, the combination with a bolster; ot a side frame including a compression member, a tension member, and

guide columns; a spring cluster; filler means interposed between said bolster and said `guide .columns for operatively connecting the saine, said filler means and said bolster being provided with detachable interlocking abutments for retaining said bolsteragainst endwise inoveinentrelative thereto; and detachable means for retaining said filler means in operative relation with. said guide columns. i

4. In a railway truck, the combination` Witli a bolster; of a side frame including a compression member, a tension member, and guide columns; a spring cluster; interposed means providing a portion extendingalong the under surface of said bolster and other portions disposed between the guide columns and the side of said bolster; means connecting said interposed means with said bolster' and an element detachably carried by said interposed means for connecting the latter to said guide columns.

5. In a railwa truck, the combination with a bolster; o a side frame including a compression member, a tension member and guide columns; a spring cluster, said guide columns being recessed for the accommoda-` tion o certain of said spring units; means interposed between said bolster, said guide columns and said spring cluster to transmit the bearing stresses between the. respective bearing surfaces of such elements; and removable means associated wit-li'said interposed means or connecting the latter to said guide columns. v

6, In a railwa truck, the combination with a bolster; o a side frame including a compression member, a tension member, and guide colunins;a spring cluster, said guide columns being recessed for the accommodation ofcertain of said spring'units; and means interposed between said bolster, said guide columns and said spring cluster to transmit the bearing stresses between the respective bearing surfaces of such elements, said interposed means being detacliably connected Vwith said bolster; and means detachably carried by said inter osed means and providing elements engagea le with said guide columns to maintain said interposed means in assembled relation therewith.

7. In av railway truck, the combination with a bolster; of a side frame, including a compression member, a tension member, and guide columns spaced apart a relatively great distance proportionate to said frame, and of greater extent than the width of said bolster; a spring cluster of greater extent than the Width of said bolster; means interposed between said bolster and said guide columrs, and arranged to transmit the bearing stresses from the bolster to all portions of the spring cluster; and rigid means connecting the lower portions of said guide columns, said rigid means being disposed on opposite sides of said ide columns and providing a pocket for t e s ring cluster.

8. .In a railway truck, .t e combination with a bolster; ofa side frame, including a compression member, a tension member, and guide columns; a spring cluster 'of greater extent than the width of said bolster; means interposedv between said bolster and said guide. columns, and arranged to transmit the bearin stresses from the bolster to all portions o the springcluster; rigid means connecting the lower portions of said guide columns, said bolster and said interposed means being connected and endwise insertable between the upper portions of said' guide columns; and means or detachably retaining said interposed means in operative relation with said guide columns.

9. In a railway truck, the combination vwith a bolster; of a side frame, including a compression member, a tension member, a s ring rest and guide columns; a sprlng c uster; means interposed between said bolster and guide columns for transmitting the bearing stresses of said bolster to all portions of said spring cluster; rigid means connecting the bottom portions of said guide columns, said tension member and said spring rest; a spring plank detachably secured to said side frame exteriorly of said rigid means; and a s ring seat having means extending throng said rigid means and arranged ,to hold said spring plank in operative position.

10. The combination with a bolster, having an end portion; and means detachably interlocked with the end of said bolster, said means having elements adapted for co-operation with :column guides of a side frame, certain of said elements being detachable.

11. In 'a railway truck the combination with a bolster; of a side frame, including a compression member, a tension member, a spring rest and guide columns spaced apart a relatively' great distance proportionate to said frame; a spring cluster disposed on said spring rest; means interposed between said bolster and guide columns for transmitting the bearing'stresses of said bolster t0 all spring units of said cluster, said means having elements associated therewith adapted for engagement with the inner and outer faces of said. guide columns, the outer of said means being .detachablydcarried by said interposed means. 12. In a railway truck, the combination with a bolster having an end portion; of

means detachabl interlocked with the end olster, said means having osite s ides'of the bolster to ective width thereof; of a 'portion of said portions on op mcrease the e side frame, including a compression mem- P fberfa-ftension member, a spring rest and guide columns and sprmg means disposed on said spring rest, said bolster and said detachable means being insertabl'e between said guide columns and co-operating with said spring means, and removable means carried by said detachable means'for retaining-said bolster end and said detachable means in operative relation with -said side/frame.

13. In a railway truck, the combination with` a side frame including a compression member and a tension member; guide columns for said frame arranged to provide a spring rest therebetween; a spring assembly contalning a plurality of. spring units, said spring rest being iat throughout its extent, and adapted to accommodate said spring units in a common horizontal plane; a bolster cooperating with said side frame; and filler means interposed between the sides of said bolster and the guiding surfaces of said guide columns, and between said bolster and said spring assembly, said filler means being detachably connected with said bolster; and means removably carried 'by said filler means for connecting the latter to said sidel frame. l

14. In a railway truck,the combination with a side frame including a compression member, a tension memb'er, guide columns, and a spring rest; spring means arranged upon said spring rest; of a bolster cooperating with said side frame; of iller means interposed between the sides of said bolster and said guide colunms and between the under-surface of said bolster and said spring frame including interengaging abutments detachable in one direction whereby said spring plank may be detached without destructive eiect; said s ring plank arrangement being normally helld influence of the orce exerted thereon by said sprmg means.

15. In a railway truck the combination with a'side frame including a compression member, a tension member, guide columns, anda spring rest; spring means arranged upon said spring rest, of a'bolster cooperating with said side frame; of filler means interposed between the sides of said bolster and said guide columns and between the under-surface of said bolster and said spring means; a spring plank arrangement connected to said side frame and including-means whereby said spring plank may' be detached without destructive eiect, and reinforcing means connecting said guide columns adjacent the bottom portions thereof, said spring lank arrangement extending across the plane defined by said reinforcingmeans.

16. Av truck structure comprising ja. side ,frame having in combination, spaced bolster a ainst detachment under the f said columns, a pluralityof springs carried on said bottom portion substantially atone level and disposed between said bearing sur-L faces, additional springs at each end ot sald springs having 011e side thereof disposed in said columns, and a spring cap plate adapted to engage all of said springs and carrying the load of said bolster', said plate being movable in and between said columns.

17. A truck structure comprising a side frame having in combination, spaced bolster columns having inner bearing surfaces and a connecting bottom portion, a truck bolster having its end vertically movable between said columns, a plurality ot springs carried onsaid bottom portion substantially at one level and disposed between said bearing surfaces, additional springs at each end of said springs having one sidethereof disposed in said columns, and a spring cap plate disposed substantially in one plane adapted to engage all of said springs and carrying the load of said bolster, said springs having fand receiving and partially surrounding their upper ends substantially at one level.

18. In a railway truck, the combination with a bolster, of a side frame including a compression member, a tension member, a spring rest, and spaced guide columns, a spring cluster, pressure transmitting means interposed between said bolster and said spring cluster, said means'being recessed the proximate end of said bolster and being laterally extended beyond the sides of said bolster to slidably engage said guide columns, and being arranged to transmit the bearing stresses from the bolster to all portions ofthe spring cluster, and. rigid means connecting the lower portions of said guide columns.

19. ln a railway truck, the combination spaced guide columns, a spring cluster, pressure transmitting means interposed between said bolster and said spring cluster,'said means being recessed andreceiving and partially surrounding the proximate end of said bolster and being laterally extended beyond the sides of said bolster to slidably engage said guide columns, and being arranged to transmit the bearing stresses from the bolster to allgportions of the spring cluster, and rigid means connecting the lower portions of said guide columns.

'20. A spring cap for bolster springs comprising a normally horizontal portion adapted to seat on said springs, and upstanding lug portions adapted to engage 'the bolster uide columns on two sides thereof and fit 1n corresponding notches in an associated bolster to cooperate'with. inner guide lugs thereon `for holding the bolster in lace.

21. In a railway truck the com Iination with a side frame, includlng a compression member, a tension member, guide columns,

and a spring seat, a bolster insertible endwiseV between said columns, said guide col- 1 -umns being spaced apart to accommodate the bolster and having relatively wider spaced vertically disposed recessed portions for Athe reception of bolster springs; a spring cluster wider than the bolster receivable on said seat between said recessed portions of said columns; means wider than the bolster interposed between said bolster and spring cluster and bearing ion said.

spring cluster for substantially its full width; and means for detachably retaining said bolster in cooperative relation with said side frame.

u 22. In a railway truck, the` combination with a side frame, including a compression member, a tension member, and guide columns formed to provide increased'width at their bottoms; of a bolster between said guide columns; a spring cluster of greater extent than the width of said bolster;

means interposed between said bolster and said spring assembly -to transmit the bearing stresses from the bolster to 'all portions `of the springcluster; and rigid means connecting the widened portions of said guide columns.

23. In a railway truck the combination with a side frame, includlng a compression member, a tension member, and guide columns spaced a greater distance at the bottom than at the upper portions thereof; of a bolster between said guidev columns;l a spring cluster of greater extent than the width of said bolster; means interposed between.said bolster and said spring cluster to transmit the bearing stresses from the bolster uniformly to all `portions of the pring cluster; and rigid means connecting e wider spaced portions of said guide columns, said rigid means being disposed on opposite sides of said guidecolumns and providing a pocket for the spring cluster.

24. In a railway truck, the combination with a side frame, including a compression member,l a tension member, and guide columns spaced at a greater distance at 'their bottom portions than at the up er portions thereof; of a bolster between said guide columns aspring cluster of greater extent than the width of said bolster; means interposed between said bolster and said spring assembly to transmit the bearing stresses from the bolster to all portions of the spring cluster; rigid means connecting the widened portions ofv said guide columns, said bolster l 10. spring-rest between the widened portions of Y 1 in operative relation with said side frame.

25. In a railway truckz the combination with afside frame, including a compression member, a tension member, guide columns, and spring rest, said guide columns having relatively narrowly spaced portions accom-l modating a bolster, and relatively wider spaced portions for reception of bolster springs; a spring cluster including the maximum number of units receivable on said said columns; means interposed betweensaid bolster and spring cluster for distributing the bearing stresses of said bolster to all portions of said spring cluster; and rigid means connecting the'lower portions 'or' said guide columns, said tension member .and said s ring rest. -I

26. In a railway truck2 the combination with a side'frame, including a compression member, a tension member, guide columns and a spring'rest, said guide columns having relatively narrowly spaced portions accommodating a bolster and relatively wider spaced portions for the reception of bolster springs; a spring cluster includ the maximum number of units receivab e'on said spring rest between the wider portions of said column; means interposed between said bolster and spring cluster'. and guide columns for distributing the bearing' stresses of said bolster to all portions of said spring cluster; rigid means connecting the lower portions o said guide columns,-said tension member and said spr' rest; a spring plank; a spring plate; aliil means extending through said'rigid means and cooperatiig with said plate to hold said spring pl in operative position.

y a railway truck, the combination with a side frame, including a compression member, a tension menriber,` and guide colimns spaced a reiatively great distance apart in proportion to the dimensions of the side frame; of a bolster positioned,- between said guide columns; a srin cluster of greater extent than the wid o said bolster; means interposed between said bolster and said spring cluster and said guide columns to 50 transmit the stresses from the bolster into e offset portions ofthe 'de columns; a bolster endwise 'nsertib e vbetweenA to said sprin Acluster.; rigid means connecting said p v portions t ereof, 'said bolster being insertible endwise between the upper portions of said guide columns; and means for detachably retaining said bolster in operative. relation with respect to said side frame.

28. In a' truck' of the character described, the combination with a side Aframe having e columns adjacent the 'lower a compression member, a tension memberand guide columns, said guide columns each having an offset portionat its lower end; a sprinlcluster having end springs extended 7' iso 

